RESPONSE TO INFORMATIONAL CALL QUESTIONS.DD24-0064.final.docx

Q&A for CDC-RFA-DD-24-0064 Surveillance of Muscular Dystrophies

1. In the description you are asking for individuals with muscular dystrophy to be identified and followed longitudinally through sources such as neuromuscular, specialty care and other outpatient clinics; administrative data (e.g., vital records, Medicaid/Medicare, hospital discharge); or other sources available to funding recipients.

The state will only be able to provide administrative data at this time. Would this be acceptable, or is it required to have data from neuromuscular, specialty care and other outpatient clinics in addition to the administrative data?

Answer: It is required to have access to electronic health records from neuromuscular, specialty care, and other outpatient clinics in addition to administrative data (e.g., vital records, hospital discharge data).

2. Unlike previous funding cycles, there is no separate data coordinating center, and these activities are not included as part of Component A. Could CDC please elaborate on the plan for getting this type of work completed during the funding cycle and the expectations that a surveillance site may have for the usual and customary activities of a data coordinating center?

Answer: The data coordinating center will be housed at CDC. Activities of the data coordinating center will include, but are not limited to, providing standardized database(s), data documentation and manuals, pooled datasets, and technical assistance to sites.

3. Can a different PI be proposed for Comp B/C then for Comp A?

Answer: There will be one principal investigator (PI) assigned as the primary PI for the cooperative agreement. However, in your application you can indicate different staff (e.g., co-PIs) who will be responsible for different components or activities. The final cooperative agreement will reflect the primary PI’s information.

4. If we are applying for multiple components, is 4 pages the limit for the project narrative including the wok plan for Comp B and/or C?

Answer: Applications that include more than one component can use 15 pages as the base allotted pages and add up to 4 additional pages to that per additional component included. For example, 4 pages for the project narrative would be specific to that component. It also includes the workplan for that component. Content beyond specified limits may not be reviewed. See the answer to Question 5 below for more details regarding page limits.

5. I have a question related to the page limit of the NOFO CDC-RFA-DD-24-0064Rev.3.15.2024.

On Page 28 under Section 10. Project narrative, the NOFO reads: “Multi-component NOFOs may have a maximum of 15 pages for the “base” (subsections of the Project Description that the components share with each other, which may include target population, inclusion, collaboration, etc.); and up to 4 additional pages per component for Project Narrative subsections that are specific to each component.

The presentation done on the Information call on Thursday, 3/28 mentioned:

- 15 pages maximum for base project description Max 15 pages, single-spaced, 12 pt font,

- 4 additional pages per component for subsections specific to each component

So to make sure that we do not misunderstand the requirements, could you please clarify the following:

1. Component A

- If an applicant applies for Component A only, then would the limit be 15 pages?

OR

- If an applicant applies for Component A only, then would the limit be 19 pages? (15 pages for the “base”+4 pages for Comp A)

2. Components A and B

- If an applicant applies for Components A and B, then would the limit be 19 pages? (15 pages for Comp A+4 pages for Comp B)

OR

- If an applicant applies for Component A and B, then would the limit be 23 pages? (15 pages for the “base”+4 pages for Comp A+4 pages for Comp B)

3. Components A and B and C

- If an applicant applies for Components A and B and C, then would the limit be 23 pages? (15 pages for Comp A+4 pages for Comp B+4 pages for Comp C)

OR

- If an applicant applies for Component A and B and C, then would the limit be 27 pages? (15 pages for the “base”+4 pages for Comp A+4 pages for Comp B+4 pages for Comp C)

Answer:

1. If an applicant applies for Component A only, the page limit is 19 pages.

2. If an applicant applies for Components A and B, the page limit is 23 pages.

3. If an applicant applies for Components A, B, and C, the page limit is 27 pages.

6. I am writing to ask you question regarding Appendices for CDC-RFA-DD-24-0064 application. Are citations lists an allowable appendix? If so, what should the filename be and where it should be uploaded?

Answer: Page 46, under the NOFO section H. Other Information, states, “Applicants may not attach documents other than those listed; if other documents are attached, applications will not be reviewed.” As the list does not include references, these should be included in the project narrative.